From the journal of A. Holmes :
8 June '07 The men gathered at the post in the eve for the following days travel . My good wife made sure all were well feed for the mornings travels . Four men will accompany me along my trade route , the same I have travelled since my youth . Some fourteen miles of water ,shallows and portages .
9 June '07 After a good meal we set forth in two canoes loaded down with 5 men , personal gear , plus kegs and cassettes of goods . Shortly after departure I had to use the bailing sponge as my canoe was leaking from previous hard use . At the first portage the men worked together to bring the canoes and cargo up and over a near verticle hill . This was followed by near a mile of wading and hauling canoes over fallen timber do to low water levels . Some six inches lower than the past autumn's travel . After this the men were glad to paddle some distance before facing the same problem , however the men took it well and got on with the work . The water at times even seemed to be swallowed up by the brush that grew over so close that it touched in the center . The fisrt lake reached and into the next creek I gave the men a rest for a meal and a pipe which was well earned . The rest of the day was went well as the water stayed deep enough to float the canoes with the men in them . Camp was set late in the day on a birch ridge with nice breeze that kept the mosquitos at bay all eve . Michele and Eteinne were able to repair the canoe with spruce gum before nightfall .
10 June '07 After a good rest the men awoke and prepared a morning meal . After which they loaded the cargo and gear for the rest of the journey . This began with a short wade along side the canoes though the shallows for one last time , then the waters deepened for the rest of the way . By midday we had arrived at our destination and the end of our endevours for the day.

Angus, mon ami -
Too bad my contractual obligations to another trader prevented me from joining your traveling band of engages. Sounds like you did quite well and had an enjoyable time. Thanks for posting the account from your journal. See you next at the Yellow River.
LaFrenierre